ComptonOn July 19, Tuesday, Compton Mayor Eric Perrodin and city council members met to discuss a budget that would avoid a government shutdown. Unfortunately the result is a $1.2 million in concessions and an 80 employee lay off effective Aug. 2. Unions are calling the move illegal.

Mayor Perrodin has stated that the budget vote results are unavoidable and have allowed the city to avoid mandatory furloughs. Early amendments by Councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux called for incorporated union proposals and an early retirement incentive program, eliminating layoffs. The council reversed these decisions in a second vote.

Inglewood“A Discussion with Your Congresswoman” On Saturday, July 23, from 1:30pm-3:30pm, Congresswoman Maxine Waters held a discussion about important public policy decisions affecting the community at Gladys Waddingham Lecture Hall in the Inglewood Public Library.

Waters spoke about how devastating budget cuts will severely affect the community on multiple fronts, from Medicare to Social Security. She is warning of severe slashes to Healthcare in the billions.

The community had a chance to talk and speak with Congresswoman Waters to find out about the best way to address the issues surrounding the federal budget cuts.

Culver CityGERONIMO JI JAGA MEMORIAL SERVICEBy Mohammed MubarakFormer L.A. Black Panther leader Geronimo Ji Jaga was given a fitting farewell tribute last Saturday at the Agape International Spiritual Center. Hundreds turned out to pay their last respects to whom many in attendance characterized as “our Mandela.”

A man who spent 27 years in prison for a crime in which he was ultimately exonerated through the assistance of attorneys Johnnie Cochran Jr., Stuart Hanlon, and a legal team that included Shawn Chapman Holly and others who all worked together relentlessly until he was finally released in June of 1997.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Kathleen Cleaver, actor Mario Van Peebles, community activist Mollie Bell, and former Black Panthers, Wayne Pharr, and Ronald Freeman all lauded Geronimo for his courage and fortitude in giving his all trying to help people lift themselves up. This was one of several tribute events that were held around the world originating in Tanzania, Africa where he died. His ashes were spread at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.